A PLEASANT SHADE OF GRAY

In my humble opinion, the best Fates Warning album. Period. Songwriting is excellent, musical performances are flawless, and Alder's vocals are the best he recorded. I love the idea of recurring themes exploited differently throughout a concept album, and let me tell you, APSOG is an example in this field. Kevin Moore shines by his restraint, playing what fits where it fits. Zonder's beats, patterns and fills clearly set him close to Neil Peart on this one. Joey Vera also does a great job. Matheos, not displaying virtuoso capabilities, instead displays restraint and uses the guitar as a songwriting instrument more than a means to show off technically. Arrangements are great, lyrics too. Really not a happy album, Grey seems to be a suitable color for the music. Dark, depressing, but so heartwrenching. A great balance of feel and technicality through and through. Fates Warning magnum opus, nothing less !